Homechevron_rightDrugschevron_rightBenztropine Prices
Generic Cogentin
Used for Parkinson's Disease
Used for Parkinson's Disease
Benztropine is an add-on medication used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. It's also used for movement problems that are side effects from other medications, such as antipsychotics. It's no longer available as the brand name Cogentin, but still sold as the generic name benztropine. Dry mouth, trouble sweating, nausea, and fast heartbeat are some possible side effects of benztropine.
Reviewed by:
Hope Chang, PharmD, AAHIVP
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on May 10, 2023
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What is Benztropine?
What is Benztropine used for?
Parkinson's disease (add-on medication)
Movement problems (extrapyramidal symptoms, or EPS) caused by antipsychotic medications
How Benztropine works
Benztropine is an anticholinergic medication. It blocks chemicals that are thought to cause muscle spasms and tremors.
Drug Facts
Common BrandsCogentin (brand no longer available)
Drug ClassAnticholinergic
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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Avg retail price
$12.65
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What are the side effects of Benztropine?
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Other Side Effects
Serious Side Effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
Source:DailyMed
The following side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Incidence not known
Abdominal or stomach cramps or pain
aggressive and violent behavior
being forgetful
bloating
burning while urinating
confusion about identity, place, and time
constipation
decrease in frequency of urination
decrease in urine volume
diarrhea
difficult or painful urination
difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
difficulty with speaking
difficulty with swallowing
discouragement
dizziness
dry mouth
extremely high fever or body temperature
fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
fast, shallow breathing
fast, weak heartbeat
feeling sad or empty
fever
headache
hot, dry skin
irritability
lack of appetite
lack of sweating
listlessness
loss of interest or pleasure
mood or mental changes
muscle cramps
muscle weakness
nervousness
numbness of the fingers
pale, clammy skin
seeing things that are not there
thirst
tiredness
trouble concentrating
trouble with sleeping
vomiting
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
Blindness
blurred vision
change in consciousness
cold clammy skin
decreased vision
dizziness
eye pain
holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact
lightheadedness
loss of consciousness
muscle weakness
nausea or vomiting
no breathing
nosebleeds
numbness or tingling in the face, arms, or legs
shakiness and unsteady walk
sweating
tearing
unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness
vision problems
wheezing
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known
Enlarged pupils
loss of appetite
skin rash
weight loss
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Benztropine
Pros
Dose can be easily adjusted based on your symptoms and side effects
Works together with other anti-parkinson medications
Available as a lower-cost generic medication
Cons
Can cause severe dry mouth that can make it difficult to eat and speak
Not a good option for young children and older adults
Interacts with certain antipsychotics and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
Pharmacist tips for Benztropine
Work closely with your provider, especially in the beginning, to find the right dose of medication for you. Your dose will likely start small and become larger over time.
You can take benztropine with or without food. If the medication makes your mouth dry, try to avoid dry or salty foods
Benztropine can cause dry mouth. Drinking water, chewing gum, and sucking on hard candy can help with dry mouth. Let your provider know if your dry mouth makes it hard to speak, eat, or swallow. They might be able to lower your dose.
Let your provider know all the medications that you take, especially if you take medications for mental health conditions. Benztropine can interact with certain antipsychotics and antidepressants, or make mental disorders worse.
Artificial tears and lubricating eye drops can relieve dry eyes you may get while taking benztropine. Talk to your provider if you start to have blurry vision. They might want you to get your eyes checked by a specialist.
If you have conditions that make urinating more difficult (e.g., enlarged prostate), benztropine can make your symptoms worse. Let your provider know if this happens.
Frequently asked questions about Benztropine
How long does benztropine take to work?
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If you're taking benztropine to help with movement problems from antipsychotics, you might notice improvements in symptoms within 1 or 2 days. The injectable forms of benztropine work faster than the tablets.
Is benztropine used for tardive dyskinesia?
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No benztropine isn't FDA-approved for tardive dyskinesia (TD). TD is a very rare form of movement problems (EPS) that can be caused by antipsychotic medications. Compared to other EPS movement problems, TD more so involves uncontrolled movement of the face, rather than arms or legs. If you have medication-related movement problems, your provider will evaluate you to see if benztropine is an appropriate medication for you.
Can benztropine be used for anxiety?
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No, benztropine isn't approved for treating anxiety. If you've symptoms of anxiety, talk to your provider about treatment options that can help.
Does benztropine cause memory loss?
expand_more
Memory problems are listed as a side effect of benztropine by the manufacturers. Benztropine is an anticholinergic medication and this class of medication is known to cause memory problems and confusion. In one small study, people taking benztropine had problems remembering things. If this is concerning to you, speak with your provider.
Is benztropine an antipsychotic?
expand_more
No, benztropine isn't an antipsychotic medication. However, it can be used to treat movement problems that are a side effect of antipsychotic medications.
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What are the risks and warnings for Benztropine?
Benztropine can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Trouble thinking clearly
Some people have trouble thinking clearly or feel confused when they take benztropine. If you're starting this medication for the first time or if your provider raises your dose, don't drive or do any activity that requires a lot of focus until you know how benztropine makes you feel
Slowed gut movement
Risk factors: Taking tricyclic antidepressants, phenothiazines, or haloperidol
Before taking benztropine, let your provider know if you're taking tricyclic antidepressants, phenothiazines, haloperidol, or other anticholinergics. These medications can interact with benztropine and cause your gut movement to slow down or stop (paralytic ileus). This can lead to serious problems. Let your provider know if you experience stomach pain or discomfort.
Heat stroke
Risk factors: Dehydration | Hot weather | Chronic alcohol use | Manual labor
Benztropine makes it harder for your body to sweat and cool itself down. This can put you at risk for heat stroke. Make sure you stay hydrated and out of the sun, especially if it's really hot out. Let your provider right away if you have a fever or feel very hot, but aren't able to sweat.
Muscle weakness
Risk factors: Taking large doses
Some people taking large doses of benztropine have reported muscle weakness. It might feel like muscle tension (like a stiff neck), followed by sudden relaxation and weakness. Let your provider know if this happens to you as they might need to lower your dose.
Mental health effects
Risk factors: Older adults | Having a history of mental health conditions | Taking larger doses of benztropine
Some people can have confusion or excitement with large doses of benztropine. In some rare cases, some people experience psychoactive effects, including hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there). Let your provider know if you have a history of mental health conditions. They might want to monitor you closely when you first start the medication.
Benztropine dosage forms
Ampule
| Dosage | As low as |
|---|---|
| 2ml of 2mg/2ml | $34.03 for 2 ampules |
Tablet
| Dosage | As low as |
|---|---|
| 0.5mg | $9.59 for 60 tablets |
| 1mg | $6.45 for 30 tablets |
| 2mg | $10.68 for 60 tablets |
Vial
| Dosage | As low as |
|---|---|
| 2ml of 2mg/2ml | $50.20 for 5 vials |
Typical dosing for Benztropine
Parkinson's disease: The typical starting dose ranges from 0.5 mg to 1 mg by mouth daily. The typical maintenance dose ranges from 0.5 mg to 6 mg daily, taken once daily or in smaller doses throughout the day.
Movement problems: The typical dose ranges from 1 mg to 4 mg by mouth once or twice daily.
Benztropine is also available as an injection that's given by a trained healthcare provider.
Interactions between Benztropine and other drugs
Benztropine may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Benztropine. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Potassium
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Clozapine
- Glucagon
- Glycopyrrolate
- Glycopyrronium Tosylate
- Methacholine
- Metoclopramide
- Quetiapine
- Revefenacin
- Scopolamine
- Secretin Human
- Tiotropium
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Betel Nut
- Chlorpromazine
- Haloperidol
How much does Benztropine cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Benztropine (generic)
Benztropine contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person shouldnot take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditionsor if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Benztropine will not be safe for you to take.
Children younger than 3 years old
What are alternatives to Benztropine?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Benztropine. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
Benztropine
Used for:
Parkinson's disease (add-on medication)
Movement problems (extrapyramidal symptoms, or EPS) caused by antipsychotic medications
$6.45 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
Trihexyphenidyl
Used for:
Add-on treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD)
Movement problems (extrapyramidal symptoms or EPS) caused by central nervous system medications
$9.51 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
What is the latest news about Benztropine?
Benztropine images
This medicine is White, Round, Scored Tablet Imprinted With "N 11".White Round N 11 - Benztropine Mesylate 2mg Tablet
This medicine is White, Round, Scored Tablet Imprinted With "Ep 138".White Round Ep 138 - Benztropine Mesylate 2mg Tablet
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References
starsBest studies we found
Ahuja, A., et al. (2022). Benztropine. StatPearls.
Chartwell RX, LLC. (2023). BENZTROPINE MESYLATE tablet [package insert]. DailyMed.
D'Souza, R. S., et al. (2023). Extrapyramidal Symptoms. StatPearls.
View All References (4)
expand_more
Geleberg, A. J., et al. (1989). Anticholinergic effects on memory: Benztropine versus amantadine. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology.
Kidron, A., et al. (2023). Phenothiazine. StatPearls.
Navinta LLC. (2022). BENZTROPINE MESYLATE injection [package insert]. DailyMed.
Weledji, E. P. (2020). Perspectives on paralytic ileus. Acute Medicine & Surgery.
GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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